The oxidation behavior of amorphous and polycrystalline ZrNi alloys

Antiferromagnetic interlayer exchange coupled Co68B32/Ir/Pt multilayers

Synthetic antiferromagnetic structures can exhibit the advantages of high velocity similarly to antiferromagnets with the additional benefit of being imaged and read-out through techniques applied to ferromagnets. Here, we explore the potential and limits of synthetic antiferromagnets to uncover ways to harness their valuable properties for applications. Two synthetic antiferromagnetic systems have been engineered and systematically investigated to provide an informed basis for creating devices with maximum potential for data storage, logic devices, and skyrmion racetrack memories. The two systems considered are (system 1) CoB/Ir/Pt of N repetitions with Ir inducing the negative coupling between the ferromagnetic layers and (system 2) two ferromagnetically coupled multilayers of CoB/Ir/Pt, coupled together antiferromagnetically with an Ir layer. From the hysteresis, it is found that system 1 shows stable antiferromagnetic interlayer exchange coupling between each magnetic layer up to N = 7. Using Kerr imaging, the two ferromagnetic multilayers in system 2 are shown to undergo separate maze-like switches during hysteresis. Both systems are also studied as a function of temperature and show different behaviors. Micromagnetic simulations predict that in both systems the skyrmion Hall angle is suppressed with the skyrmion velocity five times higher in system 1 than system 2.

Influence of Oxidation on Structure, Performance, and Application of Metallic Glasses

Owing to their unique structure and outstanding properties, metallic glasses are a novel class of structural and functional materials with vast application prospects. However, the metastable amorphous structures and chemical activity of metallic glass constituent elements lead to frequent oxidation during preparation, processing, and application. Comprehensively understanding the oxidation behaviors and underlying mechanisms of metallic glasses is essential for gaining knowledge of metallic glass structures and properties and for promoting engineering applications. Although many studies have examined these issues, more investigations are still required to explore potential industrial applications of metallic glasses. Here, recent research on metallic glass oxidation is consolidated by summarizing the oxidation influence on metallic glass structure, performance, and application and the possibilities and feasibility of oxidizing metallic glasses to reinforce materials or develop material systems are discussed.